Japanese Film Festival Online 2024 5th June - 19th June (films); 19th June - 3rd July (dramas)

The review for "Amine Supremacy". I like writing reviews, they help me organize my thoughts. :)

Up next: The Zen Diary, for a change of pace -- from the fast-paced world of Anime creation to a recluse of a mountain? I hope it won't be too much of a contrast.

 Elisheva:

Business settings aren't my favourite.

I like them more than coming-of-age, school or family settings.

Thinking about it, you know what's missing in the line-up? A good mystery film. Horror is fine and all, but I do like a good crime/mystery I can sink my teeth into.

 Elisheva:

I'm really glad so many different films have someone speaking for them in the thread already

Would be nice if people would also write something on the respective movie pages, it doesn't even need to be a full review, just a short note in the comment section, so others could see it in the future. The more niche films tend to get neglected, which is a shame. (No pressure though, if every one is enjoying themselves, that's good enough.)

 Elisheva:

although personally I'd love some in-depth conversation as well. Hopefully some of that will happen too.

Do you want to choose the one after "The Zen Diary" for me? We haven't known each other very long, but I'd be curious what you think I might like.

I forgot to leave a comment but I wrote some reviews and share on the feeds! Hope more people will notice and watch some because I feel like everyone is mainlywatching Korean or Chinese dramas.

 Elisheva:

Anywhere people might see it is good. I think maybe you crossed getting us in Hottest Discussions (which we are currently, go JFF Fans!) with posting to Feeds. I don't use Feeds much (I don't have all that much of a useful circle here) so others can share what they're doing with them.

I don't have useful circle either (I only have two friends in my list), but just clicking at MydramaList button,  I was able to reach 13 people at least according to the amount of likes in the post about the film. 

 Elisheva:

I found The Night of the Milky Way Railroad free as an e-book yesterday. Going to read it while the film is still fresh in my mind. Part of me thought, oh this is so romanticised and idealised but Miyazawa was an idealist so it fits.

You mean the story of the film or something that inspired the film?

 Elisheva:

The two other films I've seen so far which deal with arts and creativity (The Lines That Define Me and Special8) also echoed aspects of the art form in how the films told their stories. This was clearest in Lines. Also makes sense in Special8 as it seems to be at least somewhat autobiographical - watch for the filmmaker's early works in the end credits.

 I got interested when I saw them in the festival (if I'm not mistaken I only added after I saw there) so I'm planning on watching when I can.

"The Zen Diary" -- I should have liked the film, I wanted to love it -- but there was one major thing that annoyed me so much I even dreamed about it last night. I don't want to say any more as long as I've been the only one here to have seen it, but if anybody does, please tell me, I'd love to hear if I'm the only one who was so annoyed by that thing.

Re: Anime Supremacy

 Elisheva:

The whys which eventually emerged from the FL were poignant,

and

 Elisheva:

I *think* part of my ambivalence is that the meaning and significance was 'told' more than it was 'shown'.

As I see it, the main problem is that the writer wanted to tell more than there was time for. I can imagine this being much better in a 6-to-8-episode series à 25 minutes (so, 1.5 to 2 times the length of the film). Because it certainly *feels* as if there must be a lot we don't understand (as you said) -- and I think there is, but it's only shown, and shown in glimpses at that; look at the young animator and her love interest (I think he is?) or what about that one guy who likes to badmouth Saito and generally seems to dislike her. 

I just remembered that this is based on a novel -- novels usually don't have the same constraints as films, so maybe some story lines have been cut shortes? I wonder if they should have just dropped two or three story lines completely and leave others alone; but to be sure, I should read the novel.
Also, the women -- the director, the producer and, haha! the animator -- seem to be at the centre in the novel:

Japanese animation-the globally acclaimed, family-friendly theatrical features are the exception rather than the rule for a TV-oriented industry that has been pushed into late-night slots in an era of fragmented audiences. When only three titles among fifty might turn a profit, topping the charts is hardly an overambitious aim. Yet as three women, a producer, a director, and an animator, survive in a business infamous for its murderous schedules, demoralizing compromises, and incorrigible men, moments of uplift emerge against all odds-and how. More than just a window into an entertainment niche, here's a kickass ode to work. 

... the novel seems more interesting than the film.

 Elisheva:

They could easily have dropped a comedy for a mystery IMO. There was more range of feel in the independent cinema-focused JFF+ last year.

I think that there was a "We're open to suggestions and feedback" somewhere on the website. If I find it again, I might suggest more variation in genres. (Also, that they make the website less clunky, I lose my way more often than not) 

 Elisheva:

We Made a Beautiful Bouquet

That's the one I did *not* put on my list. Now I feel honour-bound to watch it.

Maybe I'll watch the beautiful bouquet and whenever I need a break, I could have a look at the horror shorts. 

 Not a Camellia:

You mean the story of the film or something that inspired the film?

The two other fil

The film is bio of a poet/writer and his family, with focus balanced between the writer and his father. Night on the Milky Way Railroad is the title of one of his books.

 i watch too many dramas:

That's the one I did *not* put on my list. Now I feel honour-bound to watch it.

Sorry, I forgot that you stay away from het romance. I'm careful in what I watch that way and initially We Made a Beautiful Bouquet wasn't high up my list. A J-drama fan I follow on social media had seen it before and I liked what he wrote about it so I gave it a go. 

It doesn't do the things I dislike about most het relationship story lines. FL isn't cutesy or ditsy. Shared enthusiasms are central to their dynamic and the framing is also balanced between their POVs. It's one of the most equal relationships I've seen. There's something else I want to compliment it on but that would be a spoiler.

All in all, it's an excellent film. Solid writing and acting so natural I managed to forget I was watching a film during some of it. Oh right, this isn't happening. If someone said, "I'm willing to watch one het love story this year" this is one of two I'd suggest.

Need to cut this short right now but will be back to pick up more of the topics brought up.

 i watch too many dramas:

... good idea, I should have done that. I just posted as "public". Maybe next time.

After the first hour when started, I shared without clicking the button too,  I only understood days later when I shared about it again

 Elisheva:

The film is bio of a poet/writer and his family, with focus balanced between the writer and his father. Night on the Milky Way Railroad is the title of one of his books.

Ah I see, the film's name is from one of his books.

 i watch too many dramas:

Very convincing and beautifully written! Would you consider putting your words on the movie page, so they'll be saved for posterity? If they were able to convince me, then they will be able to convince others too!

Thanks. I'd been struggling to find adequate words since I'd seen it (2nd day) until I framed it that way for you. My brain is fried (I think from the effects in Anime Supremacy. I'm photosensitive and they weren't enough to pre-seizure but they seem to have done something adverse) so I can currently write in a very narrow focus but am struggling to follow more. Will put this on the page.